Visible-range hemi-indigo photoswitch: ON–OFF fluorescent binder for HIV-1 RNA†
Abstract
A proof-of-principle for the application of hemi-indigo derivatives as RNA binders with photocontrollable fluorescence is presented. The photoswitch binds to the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) RNA with a significant light-up effect. The fluorescence of the RNA-bound ligand can be reversibly switched ON and OFF by light without destroying the ligand–RNA associates.